Stabilized car trucks



April 12, 1955 c. P. LEESE 2,705,925

STABILIZED CAR TRUCKS Filed May 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l I a j a zy April 12, 1955 c. P. LEESE STABILIZED CAR TRUCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1945 6 is! e 64.16

United States Patent STABILIZED CAR TRUCKS Charles P. Leese, Chicago, 111., assignor to Standard Car :lruck Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New ersey Application May 28, 1945, Serial No. 596,288

Claims. (Cl. 105-197) This invention relates to stabilized trucks for railway cars, particularly railway freight cars, and it has for its object the provision of certain new and improved constructions and arrangement of parts which will effect improved stabilizing operations, strengthen the structure in proportion to the weight of the materials employed, simplify the manufacture and assembly of the several parts, and provide freer access to the various parts for the purpose of inspection, repairs or replacement thereof.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an improved form of reinforced and strengthened side frame including vertical columns between which a bolster structure may move vertically and/ or horizontally in response to movements of the car, said columns being in the form of channels with spring-supported wedge blocks which are so slidably mounted therein as to exert constant pressure against the opposite vertical side faces of the bolster or an associated supporting member and thereby produce frictional braking effects on all vertical movements of the bolster relative to the side frame.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a truck of the type shown improved arrangement which will facilitate removal of the bolster structure from its operative position in the frame. In this connection, the invention includes the provision of means for holding the wedge blocks in downwardly retracted positions when desired for facilitating the movement of the bolster struc Eure out of its operative position relative to the side rame.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved arrangement whereby anti-friction means may be conveniently interposed between an element of the bolster structure and the springs so that the bolster memher, when moving in the direction of its length, will be moved upwardly to a slight extent as its end portion is given a transverse movement outwardly with respect to the side frame at that side of the truck.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved arrangement in which a member comprising a spring plank or cross brace is used for connecting the frame portions at opposite sides of the truck, at least some of the load springs being mounted preferably on the end portions of the spring plank, and with an improved arrangement of springs and their supporting means.

The invention is illustrated in certain preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one side portion of a car truck, being substantially a section taken at the line 11 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the improved truck, with portions broken away and other portions shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially at the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 2 but showing a changed position of certain of the parts.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of construction, being substantially a section taken at line 55 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the truck as shown in Fig. 5, with portions broken away and other parts shown in section, and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially at the line 77 in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive: indicates one of the side frame members of a car truck, having a supporting Wheel 16 rotatably mounted thereon and "ice resting on a rail 17. As will be readily understood, a complete truck comprises two of the side frame members, supported by four wheels 16.

Each of the side frame members comprises an upper compression member 18 and a bottom tension member 19, connected together by column portions 20 in the form of channels and in spaced relation to each other so as to provide an opening transversely through the side frame through which the end portion of a bolster structure extends. As shown in Fig. 2, the bolster structure includes a bolster member 21 and a sling or saddle embracing the bottom and side walls of the end portion of the bolster member. The said sling or saddle comprises arms 22 and 23 and a cross plate portion 24 extending across underneath the bolster, a plurality of heavy coiled springs 25 being interposed between the sling or saddle and the bottom tension member 19 of the side frame for supporting the bolster structure yieldingly from the frame, flanges 26 being provided at opposite side portions of the tension member 19 for holding the springs in position. It will be seen from Fig. l of the drawings that the bottom face of the bolster and the top face of the plate portion 24 of the saddle or sling are recessed to receive and hold rollers 27 in anti-friction relationship between the bolster member and the sling so as to permit ready longitudinal shifting of the bolster member transversely of the truck. The top faces of the recesses 28 in the bolster member in which said rollers are mounted are slanted downwardly slightly at their inner edges, and the bottom faces of the recesses 29 in the plate portion 24 are slanted upwardly slightly at their outer edges, with the result that when the bolster member moves out of centered position toward either side of the truck, the end of the bolster member at that side of the truck is raised slightly with respect to the side frame member.

Within the channels of the columns 20, wedge blocks 30 are slidably mounted, being yieldingly supported by coiled sprigs 31 interposed between the lower ends of the blocks and horizontally positioned spring bases 32 formed integrally with the side frame as shown in Fig. 2. inasmuch as the springs 31 do not function as load supporting elements, they can be made relatively short and light. The upper end portions of the wedge blocks and the adjacent wall portions 33 of the channels 20 are obliquely disposed, the arrangement being such that the springs 31 force the blocks upwardly and inwardly into effective frictional braking relationship with hardened steel wear plates 34, the latter of which are vertically disposed and fixedly mounted on the outer side faces of the arms 22 and 23 of the saddle or sling. By this improved arrangement, a braking effect is constantly applied to the bolster so as to retard its movement either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the side frame, the braking action being efiective upon the upward movement 0 f the bolster structure and to protect the bolster structure from excessive rebound movement following a compression of the springs 25.

Under normal conditions of use of the truck, the bolster structure is pressed downwardly against the action of the springs 25 by the weight of the car body and the load so as to insure that the parts shall be at all times in operative relation to each other, lugs 35 carried by the arms 22 and 23 of the sling being in position for engagement with the outside faces of the channel portions 20. Whenever the bolster structure is to be removed from engagement with the truck, pressure is applied upwardly on the bolster member and the saddle or sling so as to carry the lugs 35 upwardly with respect to the side frame and out of engagement With the columns 20 and into registration with an enlarged upper end portion 36 of the bolster window. In this position of the bolster structure the truck side frames may be moved transversely lengthwise of the bolster structure for disengaging the saddle or sling from the side frame. This can be accomplished very easily and quickly without the use of any special tools other than those necessary for applying upward pressure on the bolster member and saddle.

After the bolster structure has been removed from engagement with the truck, access can be had to any desired portion of the structure for removing or adjusting it as desired. After the desired repairs or replacements have been made, the parts can be easily and quickly assembled again to their operative positions by merely bringing the lugs into the required position vertically with respect to the truck for effecting the required movement of the lugs 35 in the reverse direction through the enlarged portion 36 of the opening through the side frame member.

For enabling the bolster structure to be removed from the side frame with the least difiiculty, means is provided for holding the wedge blocks 30 in lowered inoperative position. This means comprises pins 37 (see Fig. 4) adapted to be inserted through openings 38 and 39 through the wall portions of the blocks and the columns so as to hold the blocks out of engagement with the obliquely disposed wall portions 33 of the columns.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the improvements are shown in connection with a truck of different specific structure. In this modified embodiment, a side frame 40 is employed, comprising a top compression member 41 and a bottom tension menber 42, having columns 43 in the form of channels in spaced relation to each other so as to provide an opening 44 between them for a unitary bolster structure comprising a single casting 45, the upper end portion of the opening being of slightly greater size than the lower portion. The truck comprising two of the side frames is provided with four wheels 46 which run along rails 47. The load springs 48 are mounted on the tension member 42 between flanges 49 and are in direct engagement at their upper ends with the lower face of the bolster. Wedge blocks 50 are supported by coiled springs 51 within the channels 43, and the inner faces of the blocks engage hardened steel wear plates 52 fixedly mounted on the vertical side faces of the bolster casting 45 so as to apply uniform braking effects thereon with respect to its movements either upwardly or downwardly relative to the side frame. In this arrangement, the springs 51 are somewhat longer than the springs 31 of the previous embodiment. The upper end portions of the wedge blocks, comprising obliquely disposed wall portions 53, engage correspondingly positioned wall portions 54 at the upper ends of the columns, the arrangement being such that the springs 51 force the blocks upwardly and inwardly into effective frictional braking relationship with the wear plates 52 carried by the bolster. A braking effect is thus applied on the bolster so as to retard its movement either upwardly or downwardly, the construction being such as to retard a downward compression on the load springs and to counteract any tendency for a heavy rebound following a compression of the load springs 48.

In this arrangement, lugs 55 are provided directly on the side faces of the bolster casting in position to engage the outer faces of the channels 43 for holding the parts in the desired operative position with respect to each other under normal conditions of operation. The arrangement is such, however, that when the bolster casting is raised with respect to the side frame, the lugs 55 are moved upwardly out of engagement with the channels 43 and are brought into position to move through the enlarged opening portion 44 for permitting the bolster structure and the truck to be disengaged from each other. The wedge blocks 50 are provided with openings 56 through their walls for the reception of pins or other parts adapted to engage openings 57 through the walls of the columns for holding the wedge blocks in lowered position when the bolster is to be removed.

While the arrangements and constructions, as shown in the drawings and as above described are preferred, the invention is not to be limited thereto except so far as the claims may be so restricted, it being understood that changes might well be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame member having a transverse opening therethrough providing a bolster window and defined in part by vertically positioned columns at opposite sides thereof and having its upper portion enlarged relative to its lower portion in a direction lengthwise of the frame, the portions of the columns positioned below said enlarged portion of said window opening being in the form of channels opening inwardly toward the center of the frame and each having a wall extending transversely of the frame and provided with an upper portion which extends obliquely to substantially the lower boundary of the enlarged portion of said window, a bolster structure having one end portion extending through said window and provided with inboard and outboard lugs thereon having vertical sliding engagement with the opposite side faces of the frame member at locations adjacent said window, the said outboard lugs being movable to their applied position through the enlarged portion of said window, upwardly tapered wedge blocks at opposite sides of said bolster structure with perpendicular faces bearing against opposite side faces of the bolster structure and with obliquely disposed outer faces engaging said obliquely disposed wall portions of said channels so that upon upward movement of said blocks they are forced toward the bolster structure and so that the blocks when pressed upwardly apply a uniform braking effect on the movements of the bolster structure either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the frame member, resilient means seating on the lower portion of the side frame for supporting said bolster structure from said frame, and means comprising springs positioned within said channel columns for supporting said wedge biocks and for pressing them upwardly into braking relationship with the bolster structure.

2. In a car truck, a combination of a side frame member having a transverse opening therethrough defined in part by vertically positioned columns at opposite sides thereof and having its upper portion enlarged relative to its lower portion in a direction longitudinally of the frame, the portions of the columns positioned below said enlarged portion of said opening being in the form of channels opening inwardly toward the center of said opening and each provided with a wall extending transversely of the frame with the upper portion of the wall extending obliquely to substantially the lower boundary of the enlarged portion of said transverse opening, a bolster having one end portion extending through said opening and held in position so as to move vertically with respect to said frame member by means of inboard and outboard lugs formed thereon so as to move with the bolster, the said outboard lugs being movable through the enlarged portion of said transverse opening to their applied position opposite the outer faces of the said columns, upwardly tapered wedge blocks slidably mounted in said channels with obliquely disposed outer faces extending to the upper ends of the blocks and engaging said obliquely disposed wall portions of said channels, so that the upper ends of said blocks terminate adjacent the upper ends of said oblique walls and so that the blocks when pressed upwardly are moved toward opposite side faces of the bolster to apply a braking effect on the movement of the bolster either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the side frame member, means comprising a plurality of coiled springs for resiliently supporting the bolster from said side frame member, and other means comprising coiled springs seated on the side frame member for pressing said wedge blocks upwardly into braking relationship with said bolster.

3. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame member having a transverse opening therethrough defined in part by vertically positioned columns at opposite sides thereof and having its upper portion enlarged relative to its lower portion in a direction lengthwise of the frame, the portions of the columns positioned below said enlarged portion of said opening being in the form of channels opening inwardly toward the center of the opening and each column having a wall extending transversely of the frame with the upper portion of the wall extending obliquely to substantially the lower boundary of the enlarged portion of said transverse opening. a bolster structure including a bolster member and a sling associated therewith extending through said opening and provided with arms at opposite sides of the bolster member and a plate connected between said arms underneath the end portion of the bolster member, inboard and outboard lugs carried by said arms at opposite sides of said columns in sliding engagement with the columns for holding the bolster structure in its operative position transversely of the truck but adapted to permit the bolster structure to move vertically with respect to the frame, upwardly tapered wedge blocks slidably mounted in said channels with obliquely disposed outer faces extending to the upper ends of the blocks and engaging said obliquely disposed wall portions of said channels so that upon upward movement of said blocks they are forced into frictional engagement with said arms and so that the blocks when pressed upwardly apply a braking effect on the movement of the bolster structure either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the frame member, resilient means seating on the lower portion of said frame and supporting the plate portion of said sling, and other means comprising relatively short light springs for pressing said wedge blocks upwardly into braking relationship with said sling element of said bolster structure.

4. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame member having a transverse opening therethrough having an enlarged upper portion, a bolster member having one end portion extending through said opening, a plate mounted underneath the end portion of said bolster member so as to move vertically therewith, anti-friction devices interposed between said bolster member and said plate adapted to permit the bolster member to have limited movements longitudinally with respect to the plate, means comprising vertical arms formed integrally with said plate and slidably engaging faces of the frame defining vertical walls of said opening, lugs carried by said arms at opposite sides of the bolster member and having vertical sliding engagement with the inside and outside faces of said frame adjacent said opening and adapted when the bolster is in its lowered position to hold the bolster and said plate in their operative positions transversely of the truck; the lugs for engaging the outside face of said frame being adapted, when the bolster member is raised a substantial distance above its operative position, to move transversely of the side frame through the enlarged upper portion of said opening to permit removal of said plate out of its operative position, and means comprising a group of springs for resiliently supporting said plate and said bolster member from the lower portion of said frame member.

5. In a car truck, a side frame having a compression member, a tension member and spaced columns joining said members and forming therewith a Window opening; a bolster structure having an end portion extending into said window opening and having a pair of guide lugs extending laterally therefrom and overlapping said columns in all operative positions of the bolster structure; said window opening having a widened portion for the reception of said lugs during assembly of said bolster structure and said frame, said bolster structure end including top and bottom walls of a box section portion and side faces extending along the sides of said box section portion and projecting downwardly therefrom in a direction opposite to the widened portion of the window opening and providing friction faces of greater heights than the height of said box section portion; a pocket in each of said columns opening toward said bolster structure and having a wall extending transversely of said frame and sloping longitudinally thereof; a friction member in said pocket and disposed adjacent the widened portion of said window opening, said friction member having surfaces engaging said sloping wall and the adjacent side friction face of the bolster structure including the portion of said face which projects downwardly relative to said box section portion, spring means reacting between said friction member and said side frame to urge said member into engagement with said bolster structure and said sloping wall; said friction member being movably mounted in said pocket for retraction away from said bolster structure to enable ready assembly of said bolster structure and frame; the friction member being so positioned relative to the adjacent widened portion of said window opening that in its retracted position all portions thereof remain clear of said widened portion to permit free passage of said guide lugs into the widened portion of said window opening during the assembly of said bolster structure and side frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,580,103 Webb Apr. 6, 1926 1,745,665 Filander Feb. 4, 1930 1,810,949 Dreibuss et a1. June 23, 1931 1,894,385 Webb Jan. 17, 1933 2,044,971 Clasen June 23, 1936 2,139,434 Barrows Dec. 6, 1938 2,159,138 Duryea May 23, 1939 2,257,109 Davidson Sept. 30, 1941 2,352,693 Davidson July 4, 1944 2,378,414 Light June 19, 1945 2,434,583 Pierce Ian. 13, 1948 

